Chapter 55 Arrival at Mooncrest hall 2

Chapter 55: Chapter 55 Arrival at Mooncrest hall 2

Talia’s POV

Her face burned with jealousy, and she was obviously struggling to keep her cool.

I did not know why she had this much hatred in her eyes, when I was not even wearing the beautiful dresses Kaelen had bought me.

I was not wearing makeup like her, and my hair was pulled back in a simple bun. But something about me had changed, and she could see all of it.

"I see you are still dressing like..." Celeste started.

"Some things change," I said, cutting her off. "Some things do not."

Kaelen’s hand tightened on my back. "We have done enough talking, and I think it’s time we go inside," he said. "The celebration will begin soon."

He did not wait for a response. He just guided me toward the doors, and I walked beside him.

Behind me, I heard Celeste whisper something to Vivienne. I did not catch the exact words, but I heard her tone, very sharp and angry.

I did not bother to look back. I just kept walking with Kaelen.

The inside of Mooncrest Hall was even more impressive than the outside.

The ceilings soared high above, painted with scenes of wolves and moons and battles I did not recognize. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, with their crystals catching the light and throwing rainbows across the walls.

Wolves filled the halls, dressed in their finest clothes. They laughed and talked and some drank from normal glass cups, while others drank from gold-colored glasses.

Kaelen led me through the crowd, and wolves parted as we passed. Some bowed, some nodded, and some just stared.

I kept my head high and my eyes straight ahead.

His hand was still on my back, and I could feel every finger, and every point of contact, as the heat of his palm seeped through my dress.

Wolves watched us as we walked, and I saw them whispering, pointing, and staring. Some looked curious, some looked impressed, and some looked confused.

Kaelen did not acknowledge any of them. He just kept walking, with his hand steady on my back, and his gray eyes fixed ahead.

When we reached the staircase, he stopped.

"This is where I leave you," he said. "You have a room, and the servants will take you to your room, so you can rest, dress and eat. Then I will send for you when it is time for the main celebration to begin."

He gestured to a woman standing near the staircase. She was older, with gray hair and a kind face.

"She will show you the way."

His hand dropped from my back, and the warmth disappeared. Then he turned and walked away without another word.

I stood in the middle of the crowd, staring at the place where he had been.

The woman walked toward me. "This way, Luna."

I turned and followed her up the stairs as my footsteps echoed on the stone, and I looked at the walls that were lined with paintings of men and women that I did not recognize.

At the top of the stairs, she stopped in front of a wooden door.

She opened the door and gestured for me to enter.

The room was smaller than the one in Blackmoor Valley. But it was warm, and the fire had already been lit, and a tray of food sat on the desk.

My bag was already there, as someone had brought it up while I was talking to Kaelen.

The woman bowed. "If you need anything, Luna, just ring the bell by the door, and a servant will come and attend to you."

"Thank you," I said.

She left, closing the door behind her.

I walked to the window and looked out.

The valley stretched below me, green and vast and endless. The mountains rose on every side, with their peaks lost in the clouds.

And somewhere down there, in the crowd of wolves and servants and guests, Vivienne and Celeste were waiting.

The celebration had not even started, and already they had tried to cut me down.

I touched my necklace, and I was grateful it was still hiding me. But not for long, and I would not hide forever.

I walked to the desk and sat down to eat the food as it was still warm. I picked up the spoon and ate, even though I did not enjoy the taste of any of it. But I ate anyway, because I needed my strength.

Tonight, I would face everyone, including Vivienne and Celeste, and I would make sure not to look away.

I set down the spoon after eating, and walked to the window again. The sun was setting, and it was painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

I thought about Kaelen’s hand on my back, the warmth of his palm, and the way he had stood beside me when Vivienne and Celeste tried to cut me down.

It was probably just for show. Maybe he needed the pack to see us united, and he needed Vivienne to think he cared.

But for a moment, I had almost believed it.

I touched my necklace, took a deep breath and closed my eyes, as I braced myself for the things that were about to happen at the celebration tonight.